...start the year off on a bad note, but seriously? I am all set with this family getting the stomach bug twice in two weeks time (that is assuming that Emily passes it on to the rest of us). I was only half joking when I said on Twitter that I was considering wearing a mask to fend off the germs. Besides Emily's illness, Katherine has a massive cold and Julia just got over croup. I guess I should be thankful that this was all either right before or right after Christmas and not during. That doesn't make it any less annoying that some of us are sick now, and some of use are just waiting for it to hit us (and hoping and praying that it does not).
So if you could all send some healthy vibes this way, it would be much appreciated!
*UPDATE* Katherine's cold...turned in pneumonia. Lovely. At least the doctor was thorough and listened to her chest when we went in with a complaint of an earache. She's was prescribed a Z-pack so she will hopefully be on the mend soon.
And really universe, a stomach bug for the family, a relapse for Emily, croup for Julia, and now pneumonia for Katherine...I think we've paid our dues, thankyouverymuch.
Showing posts with label TMI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TMI. Show all posts
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Why...
...do overwhelming thoughts of what I need and want to do (with day to day things and life in general things)need to flood my head just before bed time? I am pretty sure that I will not be able to sleep now because my brain won't shut off.
Also? I really should keep a good old fashioned paper and pen style journal in addition to this one. There are just some things that aren't meant for public consumption.
One more thing? I should totally write a book. After I get over myself.
And that, is my rant for the night. Going to cue up the "sleepy time" play list on the ipod and attempt to sleep.
Also? I really should keep a good old fashioned paper and pen style journal in addition to this one. There are just some things that aren't meant for public consumption.
One more thing? I should totally write a book. After I get over myself.
And that, is my rant for the night. Going to cue up the "sleepy time" play list on the ipod and attempt to sleep.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Schedule
The next two weeks=insanely busy.
Just to get the schedule posted in as many places as possible, lest I forget where I need to be when, I am posting it here as well as on multiple calendars at home and on my phone.
Monday: Town Meeting @ 7.
Tuesday: appointment @ 5, Anti-Bullying Task Force meeting @ 6:30
Wednesday: Volunteer @ the MECC, dentist for Julia @ 4:15, PTA @ 7
Thursday: 1/2 day of school, babysit nephew for the day, physicals for Kate and Em at 5:30 and 6.
Friday: Crop @ 6
Saturday: NADA
Sunday: family cookout, babysit nephew for the day
Monday: babysit nephew for the day, Flag Day Ceremony at the MECC, volunteer breakfast at the MECC, HBB band concert @6:30, Flag Day Ceremony at the Elks @7.
Tuesday: NADA
Wednesday: Volunteer at Field Day at the MECC, appointment at 5:30, WOW Green night at Carver Holistic
Thursday: NADA
Friday: State Board PTA retreat
Saturday: State Board PTA retreat
Just to get the schedule posted in as many places as possible, lest I forget where I need to be when, I am posting it here as well as on multiple calendars at home and on my phone.
Monday: Town Meeting @ 7.
Tuesday: appointment @ 5, Anti-Bullying Task Force meeting @ 6:30
Wednesday: Volunteer @ the MECC, dentist for Julia @ 4:15, PTA @ 7
Thursday: 1/2 day of school, babysit nephew for the day, physicals for Kate and Em at 5:30 and 6.
Friday: Crop @ 6
Saturday: NADA
Sunday: family cookout, babysit nephew for the day
Monday: babysit nephew for the day, Flag Day Ceremony at the MECC, volunteer breakfast at the MECC, HBB band concert @6:30, Flag Day Ceremony at the Elks @7.
Tuesday: NADA
Wednesday: Volunteer at Field Day at the MECC, appointment at 5:30, WOW Green night at Carver Holistic
Thursday: NADA
Friday: State Board PTA retreat
Saturday: State Board PTA retreat
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
So what if I...
...finally had a long overdue cry over all that has gone in the past few months regarding Ryun's job, insurance and whatever the hell else.
It felt good...really, really good.
And no, I have no idea what to make of the fact that I literally said out loud after dealing with frustration after frustration, phone call after aggravating phone call (and this is just in the past hour), HELP ME GOD PLEASE NOW...and well, he did.
It was all precipitated by more frustrating news on the insurance front...shocking I know. We had received a request for information from MASS Health which I was gathering and getting ready to send. Between the Medical Security Plan and MASS Health, the MASS Health benefits were really much better. Of course, the usual happened...an opportunity for something better was there and I had no choice but to take the worst. MASS Health will not cover you if you have any other insurance option, no matter that the co-pays are through the roof, my vision is getting progressively worse and it doesn't cover any vision services and Ryun has a tooth ache and there is no dental coverage...at all. The Medical Security Plan representative I spoke with said that I could purchase an individual dental plan through another company so I called. There is a waiting period on services beyond cleaning...so Ryun would have to wait 1 year to get his tooth filled or whatever it needs. Hello? In a year the tooth may have rotted right out of his mouth (not to mention the pain). Of course there is always the option to pay out of pocket but Ryun is unemployed and taking home less than half than he did when working. Same goes for the vision care. And to top it all off? I haven't seen my counselor in since February and she is not covered under the MSP. Whether or not I needed mental health counseling before there is no question of the benefit it could provide now and I can't pay for it because I have no coverage and my husband is unemployed! AHHHHHHH!
After the tears were through and after I asked God to help me (out of sheer frustration if I am being honest), I decided just for kicks to see if the !@#$%^& formerly known as Ryun's boss actually did what he had said he was going to do and paid up what he owes on the insurance plan we had. I am still waiting for the lightening to strike but in some sort of miracle, he followed through. I am just waiting for Ryun to confirm with the union but it looks like we have our old plan back for at least three months, which I am hoping can begin now, and not be backdated to the day he was laid off in March. Because if that happens? I might have to cry again.
It felt good...really, really good.
And no, I have no idea what to make of the fact that I literally said out loud after dealing with frustration after frustration, phone call after aggravating phone call (and this is just in the past hour), HELP ME GOD PLEASE NOW...and well, he did.
It was all precipitated by more frustrating news on the insurance front...shocking I know. We had received a request for information from MASS Health which I was gathering and getting ready to send. Between the Medical Security Plan and MASS Health, the MASS Health benefits were really much better. Of course, the usual happened...an opportunity for something better was there and I had no choice but to take the worst. MASS Health will not cover you if you have any other insurance option, no matter that the co-pays are through the roof, my vision is getting progressively worse and it doesn't cover any vision services and Ryun has a tooth ache and there is no dental coverage...at all. The Medical Security Plan representative I spoke with said that I could purchase an individual dental plan through another company so I called. There is a waiting period on services beyond cleaning...so Ryun would have to wait 1 year to get his tooth filled or whatever it needs. Hello? In a year the tooth may have rotted right out of his mouth (not to mention the pain). Of course there is always the option to pay out of pocket but Ryun is unemployed and taking home less than half than he did when working. Same goes for the vision care. And to top it all off? I haven't seen my counselor in since February and she is not covered under the MSP. Whether or not I needed mental health counseling before there is no question of the benefit it could provide now and I can't pay for it because I have no coverage and my husband is unemployed! AHHHHHHH!
After the tears were through and after I asked God to help me (out of sheer frustration if I am being honest), I decided just for kicks to see if the !@#$%^& formerly known as Ryun's boss actually did what he had said he was going to do and paid up what he owes on the insurance plan we had. I am still waiting for the lightening to strike but in some sort of miracle, he followed through. I am just waiting for Ryun to confirm with the union but it looks like we have our old plan back for at least three months, which I am hoping can begin now, and not be backdated to the day he was laid off in March. Because if that happens? I might have to cry again.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Health Update: Emily
I have survived another trip in to the hell that is driving in Boston. Every trip to and from Children's reminds me of just how much of a "country" girl I am. Boston has too much of everything, first and foremost being people, followed closely by cars, buildings, traffic lights, and idiots that don't know the difference between a walk/don't walk signal.
Something else a visit to Children's always reminds me of is just how lucky we are. Sure, Emily has her medical troubles but, all told, her issues pale in comparison to what other children and parents are dealing with. It is depressing to see really but it sure helps put things in to perspective.
Emily has not had a seizure for coming up on six years and has not been medicated for three. Mostly, she is followed now for the treatment of ADHD/Executive Function Disorder and of course, just to make sure that she isn't having seizures. I have a feeling if, when she had her MRI and genetic testing a number of years ago, the results of both had been normal,we wouldn't have to continue seeing her neurologist and any medication for her other concerns could be handled through her primary care. Because she has two strikes against her so to speak (an abnormality in the frontal lobes of her brain and a genetic mutation in the TSC II gene), she continues to be seen by her neurologist.
Her appointment went well. We (Emily and I) discussed at length her troubles at school. I really felt that Emily should be very much involved with the discussion. Obviously she knows best what is going on and what she thinks is working/not working. I also feel like she is old enough to have a voice in some of the decisions being made about her. I explained to him that the medicine he had prescribed her seemed to help but that it was causing drastic mood swings(more so than what would be consider normal for an almost 13 year old girl anyway). This was confirmed when she stopped taking it and had dramatic improvements in her mood (thankfully it was the kind of medicine that she could take on a more as needed basis so it could be stopped and started without any trouble). He decided that another medicine may work better but said that she would need to have an EKG. This medicine has been known to effect the results of an EKG so it made sense to have a one first to make sure everything was ok to begin with. Given the diagnosis she also has of a "Tuberous Sclerosis-like" condition, an EKG was also warranted because TSC can cause heart problems due to tumor growth. We were able to head right down to cardiology when we were done which was nice. The results of the EKG came back today and were 100 % normal. If I am being honest here, I was slightly concerned that it wouldn't come back ok; not because she had any indication of heart problems but because of the fact that every other test she has had has not come back with good results (MRI's EKG's and genetic testing). It was a nice change of pace for something to come back ok.
When Emily was originally diagnosed with the TSC-like condition, both the geneticist and the head of the TSC Clinic at Childrens had never seen a case like Emily's. The genetic testing, though indicative of something like TSC was not definitive. Her MRI showed a "Neuron Migration Disorder" which was also something similar to what is seen on an MRI of a patient with TSC but not exact. Besides seizures and obvious problems with executive function and attention, she showed no other signs of TSC, such as developmental delay or tumor growth. At the time, the head of the TSC Clinic recommended that he see Emily in a few years to see if anything had changed with her specifically and also to see if he had come across anyone "like her" in the time that has passed. It has actually been more than a few years (5 to be exact) so we made the appointment to meet with him while we were there yesterday. As a side note, there was no surprise here when the director of the TS Clinic at one of the foremost children's hospitals in the world told me that Emily was one of a kind. I knew that already!
So, we have two appointments in October on two different days...one with the director of the TS Clinic and her regular checkup with her neurologist (sadly, we were not able to coordinate it all for the same day).
To end this on a less serious note, while talking with the doctor about the genetic mutation in her TSC II gene, Emily heard the word, "mutation" only and said, "Cool! I am a mutant!"
Something else a visit to Children's always reminds me of is just how lucky we are. Sure, Emily has her medical troubles but, all told, her issues pale in comparison to what other children and parents are dealing with. It is depressing to see really but it sure helps put things in to perspective.
Emily has not had a seizure for coming up on six years and has not been medicated for three. Mostly, she is followed now for the treatment of ADHD/Executive Function Disorder and of course, just to make sure that she isn't having seizures. I have a feeling if, when she had her MRI and genetic testing a number of years ago, the results of both had been normal,we wouldn't have to continue seeing her neurologist and any medication for her other concerns could be handled through her primary care. Because she has two strikes against her so to speak (an abnormality in the frontal lobes of her brain and a genetic mutation in the TSC II gene), she continues to be seen by her neurologist.
Her appointment went well. We (Emily and I) discussed at length her troubles at school. I really felt that Emily should be very much involved with the discussion. Obviously she knows best what is going on and what she thinks is working/not working. I also feel like she is old enough to have a voice in some of the decisions being made about her. I explained to him that the medicine he had prescribed her seemed to help but that it was causing drastic mood swings(more so than what would be consider normal for an almost 13 year old girl anyway). This was confirmed when she stopped taking it and had dramatic improvements in her mood (thankfully it was the kind of medicine that she could take on a more as needed basis so it could be stopped and started without any trouble). He decided that another medicine may work better but said that she would need to have an EKG. This medicine has been known to effect the results of an EKG so it made sense to have a one first to make sure everything was ok to begin with. Given the diagnosis she also has of a "Tuberous Sclerosis-like" condition, an EKG was also warranted because TSC can cause heart problems due to tumor growth. We were able to head right down to cardiology when we were done which was nice. The results of the EKG came back today and were 100 % normal. If I am being honest here, I was slightly concerned that it wouldn't come back ok; not because she had any indication of heart problems but because of the fact that every other test she has had has not come back with good results (MRI's EKG's and genetic testing). It was a nice change of pace for something to come back ok.
When Emily was originally diagnosed with the TSC-like condition, both the geneticist and the head of the TSC Clinic at Childrens had never seen a case like Emily's. The genetic testing, though indicative of something like TSC was not definitive. Her MRI showed a "Neuron Migration Disorder" which was also something similar to what is seen on an MRI of a patient with TSC but not exact. Besides seizures and obvious problems with executive function and attention, she showed no other signs of TSC, such as developmental delay or tumor growth. At the time, the head of the TSC Clinic recommended that he see Emily in a few years to see if anything had changed with her specifically and also to see if he had come across anyone "like her" in the time that has passed. It has actually been more than a few years (5 to be exact) so we made the appointment to meet with him while we were there yesterday. As a side note, there was no surprise here when the director of the TS Clinic at one of the foremost children's hospitals in the world told me that Emily was one of a kind. I knew that already!
So, we have two appointments in October on two different days...one with the director of the TS Clinic and her regular checkup with her neurologist (sadly, we were not able to coordinate it all for the same day).
To end this on a less serious note, while talking with the doctor about the genetic mutation in her TSC II gene, Emily heard the word, "mutation" only and said, "Cool! I am a mutant!"
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Get A Grip
You know, I am not one to casually brush aside someone's feelings as if they were inconsequential and didn't matter. I am actually considered by others to be a very good listener and can generally see things from many varied perspectives. I wonder why it is so hard for me to treat myself the same way I would others. I have a feeling it has something to do with needing to be in control...not of others but of myself. It's almost as if an internal light flashes in warning if there is any indication that I might lose it.
Take for example the situation I am in right now. For reasons that I may get in to at some point in another entry, I had to pull out Emily's seizure journal (a complete record of every seizure, test, Dr.'s appointment and blog entry I have ever written in that regard) and the results of neuro-psych testing she had done almost three and a half years ago. Of course, I couldn't just get the needed information out; I had to read it all too. In what I think is a quite natural and appropriate response when I think about it in retrospect, I was teary eyed and my stomach was in knots reading it. So why then does the voice in my head tell me while it is happening to stop being so silly, stop crying, suck it up and get a bleeping grip?
This is just one example of many in which I find myself, unnecessarily trying to keep my emotions in check. I have no idea what this is all about. Thoughts?
Take for example the situation I am in right now. For reasons that I may get in to at some point in another entry, I had to pull out Emily's seizure journal (a complete record of every seizure, test, Dr.'s appointment and blog entry I have ever written in that regard) and the results of neuro-psych testing she had done almost three and a half years ago. Of course, I couldn't just get the needed information out; I had to read it all too. In what I think is a quite natural and appropriate response when I think about it in retrospect, I was teary eyed and my stomach was in knots reading it. So why then does the voice in my head tell me while it is happening to stop being so silly, stop crying, suck it up and get a bleeping grip?
This is just one example of many in which I find myself, unnecessarily trying to keep my emotions in check. I have no idea what this is all about. Thoughts?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Things I Did (and Didn't) Do Today
1. I did fill out the mountains of paperwork needed to send the older kids to Girl Scout camp over the summer.
2. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
3. I did get some actual paid work done.
4. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
5. I did find out that Ryun's unemployment may have been screwed up.
6. I did not put a hit out on Ryun's ex boss.
7. I did vaccum the entire down stairs and clean the living room and kitchen.
8. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
9. I did make appointments for Kate and Emily to have physicals next week which will have to pay for out of pocket because we have not heard back about our health insurance yet and still...
10. I did not put a hit out on Ryun's ex boss.
11. I did find out from Ryun that because as the saying goes when it rains it pours, that our washing machine broke today and he will not be able to fix it.
12. I did not pick the washing machine up and throw it at Ryun's ex boss (mostly because, well a washing machine is heavy and Ryun's boss was nowhere near me but still, the fact that I didn't means something).
13. I did enjoy a fun random Tuesday night dance/singing in to wooden spoons party with the kids which was fun and stress releasing.
14. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
15. I did cry like a freaking baby watching The Biggest Loser tonight.
16. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
All in all? I'd say it was a rather productive day.
2. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
3. I did get some actual paid work done.
4. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
5. I did find out that Ryun's unemployment may have been screwed up.
6. I did not put a hit out on Ryun's ex boss.
7. I did vaccum the entire down stairs and clean the living room and kitchen.
8. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
9. I did make appointments for Kate and Emily to have physicals next week which will have to pay for out of pocket because we have not heard back about our health insurance yet and still...
10. I did not put a hit out on Ryun's ex boss.
11. I did find out from Ryun that because as the saying goes when it rains it pours, that our washing machine broke today and he will not be able to fix it.
12. I did not pick the washing machine up and throw it at Ryun's ex boss (mostly because, well a washing machine is heavy and Ryun's boss was nowhere near me but still, the fact that I didn't means something).
13. I did enjoy a fun random Tuesday night dance/singing in to wooden spoons party with the kids which was fun and stress releasing.
14. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
15. I did cry like a freaking baby watching The Biggest Loser tonight.
16. I did not put out a hit on Ryun's ex boss.
All in all? I'd say it was a rather productive day.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
La La La La La La La La La La La
My week so far: Service engine light came on in the van, hurt my finger doing I have no idea what and it's all swollen and black and blue, found out that Julia will be repeating Kindergarten(which is a. not surprising, b. probably the best choice I could have made for her, and c. totally fine but it's still just...hard to explain my feelings around this honestly), found out that unless a miracle of God is performed Ryun will be out of a job, um, tomorrow.
I really have so much to say about this that I don't even know what to say (imagine that...me, speechless). So, instead of crying to you all I am going to share with you the new theme song I am trying to adapt to my life.
Ahh...leave it to an 80's tv show to help make me feel better! : )
I really have so much to say about this that I don't even know what to say (imagine that...me, speechless). So, instead of crying to you all I am going to share with you the new theme song I am trying to adapt to my life.
Ahh...leave it to an 80's tv show to help make me feel better! : )
Monday, February 08, 2010
I am really looking forward to the day...
...when I don't cry at the drop of a hat. Seriously, between Nana's passing and Ryun's work situation going from bad to worse, it has taken nothing (and more so than usual) for the tears to flow.
Like for example today...when I got Julia's progress notes for her IEP. Not something to cry over really (especially considering the progress she has made has been amazing) but I did. Why? Because a couple of small things are still works in progress like her ability to answer "wh" questions, her need for encouragement and examples beyond what would be considered the norm, and some continuing struggles socially. Still? I don't generally cry over these things.
I am so overwhelmed with what I have to do (in part because I did nothing last week except for what was necessary to remain, well, alive). I spent almost every waking minute in the rehab/nursing home with my Nana, mother, sisters and aunt experiencing what was probably the saddest, but most emotionally bonding time of my entire life. I wouldn't trade a singles minute of the time I spent there, but you know what they say about payback. I have so much to do, I don't even know where to start. I cry just thinking about the list. No, literally, cry.
My stomach has this huge, empty, yet full of tension and nerves spot that just doesn't seem to have subsided much, if at all.
Clearly, the first thing on the to do list needs to be some action steps that I can take to settle myself down and just let myself be. I am going to start tonight by heading to bed with the ipod and my classical music playlist. Hopefully, sleep will come quickly and with ease.
Like for example today...when I got Julia's progress notes for her IEP. Not something to cry over really (especially considering the progress she has made has been amazing) but I did. Why? Because a couple of small things are still works in progress like her ability to answer "wh" questions, her need for encouragement and examples beyond what would be considered the norm, and some continuing struggles socially. Still? I don't generally cry over these things.
I am so overwhelmed with what I have to do (in part because I did nothing last week except for what was necessary to remain, well, alive). I spent almost every waking minute in the rehab/nursing home with my Nana, mother, sisters and aunt experiencing what was probably the saddest, but most emotionally bonding time of my entire life. I wouldn't trade a singles minute of the time I spent there, but you know what they say about payback. I have so much to do, I don't even know where to start. I cry just thinking about the list. No, literally, cry.
My stomach has this huge, empty, yet full of tension and nerves spot that just doesn't seem to have subsided much, if at all.
Clearly, the first thing on the to do list needs to be some action steps that I can take to settle myself down and just let myself be. I am going to start tonight by heading to bed with the ipod and my classical music playlist. Hopefully, sleep will come quickly and with ease.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
The scar isn't going to be pretty...
...but it sure beats skin cancer. The thing removed from my arm? Was a basal cell carcinoma, also known as skin cancer. Yikes. Clearly I have many of the risk factors; pale skin, blue eyes, red(ish) hair. If genetics come in to play, I've got that too (both of my parents have had basal cell's removed). I have to go back in three months to make sure the scar has healed and that there has been no recurrence. I also have to make an appointment with a dermatologist so that I can set up yearly skin checks.
The stitches are out but, I have steri strips across the scar which need to stay on for a week or so (which is when they should fall off on there own). I am not surprised by this as I wasn't entirely sure the stitches themselves were ready to come out. The incision was in a very precarious spot...right where my arm meets my chest area, just to the right of and below my collar bone. The area was moved around and stretched with just about every move my arm made. I tried not to do much, but there were times when I could feel the stitches pulling a bit. My being ambidextrous has come in handy over the past week.
I forgot to mention to the doctor the general stiffness and discomfort (not pain really) I have felt all over the shoulder area since the basal cell was removed. There was actual pain localized to the incision for the first day or two but the stiffness and general discomfort seems to have gotten worse. I suspect it is because I have been trying to keep my shoulder/arm fairly still as much as possible to keep the stitches from pulling. Once I gain full range of motion and can properly use my arm again (reaching behind or up was most difficult and still is because I can feel the actual skin pulling) I am hoping the stiffness will disappear. If not, I will call and see what the doctor thinks.
Anyway, that was my exciting Wednesday morning.
Also? I am buying stock in Coppertone.
The stitches are out but, I have steri strips across the scar which need to stay on for a week or so (which is when they should fall off on there own). I am not surprised by this as I wasn't entirely sure the stitches themselves were ready to come out. The incision was in a very precarious spot...right where my arm meets my chest area, just to the right of and below my collar bone. The area was moved around and stretched with just about every move my arm made. I tried not to do much, but there were times when I could feel the stitches pulling a bit. My being ambidextrous has come in handy over the past week.
I forgot to mention to the doctor the general stiffness and discomfort (not pain really) I have felt all over the shoulder area since the basal cell was removed. There was actual pain localized to the incision for the first day or two but the stiffness and general discomfort seems to have gotten worse. I suspect it is because I have been trying to keep my shoulder/arm fairly still as much as possible to keep the stitches from pulling. Once I gain full range of motion and can properly use my arm again (reaching behind or up was most difficult and still is because I can feel the actual skin pulling) I am hoping the stiffness will disappear. If not, I will call and see what the doctor thinks.
Anyway, that was my exciting Wednesday morning.
Also? I am buying stock in Coppertone.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Why I Hardly Post Anymore (At Least Lately)
Check it:
I'm just a tiny bit busy.
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I'm just a tiny bit busy.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Putting Two and Two Together
On Friday night of last week, we took the girls to Brigham's for dinner, after eye doctor appointments for Katherine and I. Katherine had cheese quesadillas and an ice cream for dessert. In the middle of the night, she was on the toilet, literally crying in pain (yes, I know TMI but it's essential to the story). This is not the first time that something like this has happened and after thinking about it for a while, I realized that it only happens when we go out to a restaurant for a meal. It might have happened occasionally after eating at home, but these times were so far and few between, it's not worth considering. After further thought, I realized that it only happens when she has had both dinner and dessert (we rarely have dessert at home and if we do, it's not always ice cream).Katherine is pretty predictable when it comes to ordering. She almost always gets a grilled cheese sandwich or cheese quesadillas and some sort of ice cream type dessert. The one time recently that I can remember her ordering something different it was a hamburger, and, of course ice cream dessert. This is the only time in recent memory that I can remember her not ending up in the bathroom when all was said and done.
So, the point? I think she might be (or still be) lactose intolerant. She always was as an infant, and although lower fat milk does not mean lactose free milk, she has never been able to properly digest whole milk. We drink skim, because Emily, who also had a lactose free formula, also can't handle the whole milk(in fact Julia, who was also on a lactose-free formula is the only one of my children who went to whole milk at 1 year).
After coming to these conclusions, I decided to read up a bit on food intolerances and allergies and it turns out? There is a ton of research/stories of children who have stopped bed wetting after eliminating the offending food from the diet. There is also research/stories of children whose asthma and chronic cough were eradicated by eliminating the offending food. So, since she has obvious symptoms of lactose intolerance it seems to me that it would make sense to try a dairy-free diet with her to see if it helps with the bed wetting/asthma/cough as well as the intestinal issues.
I need to look at this a little further and read up on what foods might be forbidden (besides the obvious milk, cheese etc) and decide what I want to do but it all seems to be pretty clear to me. If we go ahead with it, we'll have to see if it works but on the surface, before even trying it? It seems like it may be the key.
So, the point? I think she might be (or still be) lactose intolerant. She always was as an infant, and although lower fat milk does not mean lactose free milk, she has never been able to properly digest whole milk. We drink skim, because Emily, who also had a lactose free formula, also can't handle the whole milk(in fact Julia, who was also on a lactose-free formula is the only one of my children who went to whole milk at 1 year).
After coming to these conclusions, I decided to read up a bit on food intolerances and allergies and it turns out? There is a ton of research/stories of children who have stopped bed wetting after eliminating the offending food from the diet. There is also research/stories of children whose asthma and chronic cough were eradicated by eliminating the offending food. So, since she has obvious symptoms of lactose intolerance it seems to me that it would make sense to try a dairy-free diet with her to see if it helps with the bed wetting/asthma/cough as well as the intestinal issues.
I need to look at this a little further and read up on what foods might be forbidden (besides the obvious milk, cheese etc) and decide what I want to do but it all seems to be pretty clear to me. If we go ahead with it, we'll have to see if it works but on the surface, before even trying it? It seems like it may be the key.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Julia
The other day, Julia went out with Emily and Katherine to play in the yard. She came in with a couple of "bug bites" on the back of her neck, right at the hairline. They were small, with a dark red dot in the center, and a pink circle around. She had an other one, just a little further down on her back, but it looked more like a mosquito bite, as it did not have the red dot in the center. I thought nothing of this at first, but the next day she went out, and came back in with a few more spots on her back, one on her upper chest in the front, and one one her face, next to her left eye. The older girls were fine, not a single mark on them anywhere. They were all in the sandbox so I just thought it was weird that if it was bugs biting, they would only attack Julia. I was (am) beginning to wonder if it might be something else. Today will be a good test as I do not plan on sending her out (it's raining) and, after giving her a once over this morning, I do not see any new spots. They appear to be itchy, as she keeps asking me to scratch her back for her.
Anyway, just in case it did turn out to be something other than bug bites of some sort, I took pictures. Does anyone have any thoughts on what these could be?
(click to enlarge images)
These are the ones on her neck, taken shortly after she came in. the one below it was the one I was referring to that look more like a mosquito bite.
This one here is on her back, but is missing the pinkish ring that the others had.
This is the one near her eye, taken this morning.
Anyway, just in case it did turn out to be something other than bug bites of some sort, I took pictures. Does anyone have any thoughts on what these could be?
(click to enlarge images)
These are the ones on her neck, taken shortly after she came in. the one below it was the one I was referring to that look more like a mosquito bite.
This one here is on her back, but is missing the pinkish ring that the others had.
This is the one near her eye, taken this morning.
And this is what her back looks like this morning.
Friday, March 28, 2008
TMI...But Funny
Lately, there has been a lot of talk around here about puberty. The other day Emily asked me if you had to get you period. I said, "Yes, it's part of being a woman and you have to get it if someday you want to have babies."
Her answer?
"Oh, so if you want to adopt you can't opt out?"
Her answer?
"Oh, so if you want to adopt you can't opt out?"
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Note To Self
Upload classical music playlist to Ipod for nights when everything is working against the possibility of you sleeping.
Music (especially of the classical version) has always been soothing to me when having a difficult time falling asleep. Last night, it would have have had the possibility of working wonders. Julia ended up in with us (after numerous unsuccessful attempts to bring her up to her own room after she fell asleep). That in itself would have been enough to ruin at least half way decent sleep for me, but added to the mix was a racing mind, Ryun snoring (which was odd for him),hot flashes, a semi-upset stomach, and Julia being unusually restless. I tossed and turned until 3:00 before finally falling in to a fitful sleep, full of strange dreams which I can't seem to recall now. I woke when Ryun left for work and didn't really fall back asleep before the alarm went of at 6:30. It doesn't help that it's that time of month, meaning of course, that I am already feeling much more tired than usual. Ugh.
Music (especially of the classical version) has always been soothing to me when having a difficult time falling asleep. Last night, it would have have had the possibility of working wonders. Julia ended up in with us (after numerous unsuccessful attempts to bring her up to her own room after she fell asleep). That in itself would have been enough to ruin at least half way decent sleep for me, but added to the mix was a racing mind, Ryun snoring (which was odd for him),hot flashes, a semi-upset stomach, and Julia being unusually restless. I tossed and turned until 3:00 before finally falling in to a fitful sleep, full of strange dreams which I can't seem to recall now. I woke when Ryun left for work and didn't really fall back asleep before the alarm went of at 6:30. It doesn't help that it's that time of month, meaning of course, that I am already feeling much more tired than usual. Ugh.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Potty Training: Bye Bye Diapers Edition
I finally decided yesterday to start potty training with Julia. Not surprisingly (given all the signs that she was ready), she did remarkably well.
The count went like this:
9 successful trips to the potty
2 accidents
2 "oops I am not supposed to pee in my pants so let me go the rest on the toilet" events
For the record, I don't think she really has to go to the bathroom 13 times in a day. I am just one of those people that doesn't use pull ups to train. I use you know, actual underwear. Anyway, when she wasn't telling me she had to go (which she did do a few times throughout the day) I was taking her to the bathroom every 1/2 hour or so. She went just about every time, even if it was just a tiny bit.
I set up a sticker chart on the bathroom wall and every time she goes she gets a sticker for her chart and a sticker on her hand. It seems to be working very well as a motivator. Another great motivator that appears to be working is watching your mother make a complete fool out of herself by acting like a total goofball when there is a successful trip to the potty.
Day two is off to a good start.
YAY!
The count went like this:
9 successful trips to the potty
2 accidents
2 "oops I am not supposed to pee in my pants so let me go the rest on the toilet" events
For the record, I don't think she really has to go to the bathroom 13 times in a day. I am just one of those people that doesn't use pull ups to train. I use you know, actual underwear. Anyway, when she wasn't telling me she had to go (which she did do a few times throughout the day) I was taking her to the bathroom every 1/2 hour or so. She went just about every time, even if it was just a tiny bit.
I set up a sticker chart on the bathroom wall and every time she goes she gets a sticker for her chart and a sticker on her hand. It seems to be working very well as a motivator. Another great motivator that appears to be working is watching your mother make a complete fool out of herself by acting like a total goofball when there is a successful trip to the potty.
Day two is off to a good start.
YAY!
Monday, January 08, 2007
Another Weird But Good Side Effect Of Eating Healthy and Exercising
And yes, I know this is TMI.
It's that time of month and...
my mood is good...
my back is not in pain...
I am not ready to kill the next person that talks to me!
Sweet!
I might just have to keep this up!
It's that time of month and...
my mood is good...
my back is not in pain...
I am not ready to kill the next person that talks to me!
Sweet!
I might just have to keep this up!
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